SMD vs. COB LED Strip: A Comprehensive Comparison

What is an SMD LED Strip?

SMD (Surface Mounted Device) LED technology represents a type of LED (Light Emitting Diode) that utilizes surface-mounted technology to optimize space utilization.

Unlike traditional LEDs employing through-hole technology (THT), where LED leads are inserted into drilled holes in the PCB, SMD LEDs feature LED chips soldered directly onto the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB).

Key Features of SMD LED Strips:

• Compact Size: SMD LED Strips are engineered to be compact and lightweight, making them suitable for environments with limited space availability..
• High Efficiency: Renowned for their efficiency, SMD LED Strips consume less power while emitting brighter light output.
• Extended Lifespan: SMD LED Strips boast a longer lifespan compared to traditional LEDs, thanks to their lower power consumption and diminished heat generation.
• Enhanced Beam Angle: Through the clustering of multiple LED chips, SMD LED Strips achieve a wider beam angle, ensuring uniform light distribution.
• Cost-Effectiveness: SMD LED Strips typically offer a more cost-effective solution than traditional LEDs, attributed to their reduced power requirements and prolonged lifespan.

What is a COB LED Strip?

A COB (Chip on Board) LED strip represents a specialized form of LED strip leveraging chip-on-board technology to directly mount multiple LED chips onto a substrate, typically a printed circuit board (PCB).

This innovative approach allows for a higher density of LED chips, offering several notable advantages over conventional LED technologies such as SMD (Surface Mounted Device) LEDs.

Key Features of COB LED Strips:

• Compactness: COB LED strips boast a more compact design attributed to the diminutive size of the chip and the close arrangement of LED chips.
• High Intensity: COB LEDs emit light of higher intensity, particularly when viewed at close distances.
• Uniformity: COB LEDs provide superior uniformity of light, ensuring consistent illumination even at close working distances.
• Design Simplicity: With a simpler design comprising only one circuit and two contacts for the entire chip, COB LEDs offer streamlined functionality regardless of the number of diodes.
• Superior Thermal Performance: COB LEDs exhibit enhanced thermal performance, resulting in prolonged lifespan, heightened stability, and improved reliability.

Key Differences Between SMD and COB LED Strips

COB, or chip on board, entails the direct packaging of the chip onto the PCB. A COB LED strip encapsulates chips on a flexible board, representing a novel process technology. Its internal structure comprises PCB, phosphor, package chip, and gold wire.

SMD, or surface mount device, LED strip lights are among the most prevalent LEDs on the market. These LEDs feature chips permanently fused to a printed circuit board (PCB), renowned for their versatility. The internal structure encompasses PCB, printed circuit board, solder joints, brackets, phosphorescent packages, chips, and gold wires.

The COB chip emits light directly from the bottom, without any obstructions, enabling a light-emitting angle of up to 180 degrees.

In contrast, the patch LED strip includes a bracket, limiting its light-emitting angle to 120 degrees. The presence of the bracket influences the quality of light produced. Notably, the two technologies differ in the number of diodes, impacting brightness and light range.

COB LED strips emit uniform and glare-free light, whereas SMD LED strips produce glare, making them best suited as dot light sources. Flexibility distinguishes the COB LED strip, which is soft and capable of withstanding significant deformations, facilitating easy shaping as required. Moreover, the COB LED strip boasts easy installation in confined spaces, aided by strong adhesive properties.

In contrast, achieving spotless light with SMD LED strips necessitates compatibility with aluminum profiles. Conversely, COB LED strips can achieve this effect without aluminum profiles. If you’re seeking a lighting supplier for your project, consider the unique attributes of both technologies to meet your specific requirements.

Applications of SMD and COB LED Strips

Both SMD and COB LED strips find versatile applications across residential, commercial, and specialized settings. Here’s a breakdown of scenarios where one may be preferred over the other:

Residential Applications:

SMD LED Strips:

• Under Cabinet Lighting: LED strip lights for kitchen cabinets due to flexibility and customizability.
• Accent Lighting: LED strip lights idea for accentuating architectural features or creating ambiance.
• Decorative Lighting: LED strip lights bedroom often used for decorative purposes like staircases or hallways.

COB LED Strips:

• High-Ceiling Areas: Better suited for high-ceiling areas requiring intense and uniform illumination.
• Task Lighting: Ideal for task-oriented applications like reading or cooking.

Commercial Applications:

SMD LED Strips:

• Retail Lighting: Commonly used in retail spaces for display, shelf, and ambient lighting.
• Office Lighting: LED Strip lights for ceiling suitable for task lighting and ambient lighting in office environments.

COB LED Strips:

• Signage and Backlighting: Perfect for signage and backlighting due to high brightness and uniformity.
• High-Intensity Lighting: Ideal for industrial settings requiring powerful and focused illumination.

Specialized Applications:

SMD LED Strips:

• Automotive Lighting: Flexible and cost-effective option for automotive interior lighting, such as LED strip lights for car.
• Photography and Film: Used for specific lighting effects or backlighting in photography and film.

COB LED Strips:

• Automotive Headlights: Employed in automotive headlights for superior brightness and focused output.
• Medical Lighting: Utilized in medical lighting applications like surgical lighting for intense and focused illumination.

FAQ

Question: I am installing the LED strip close to a reflective surface (i.e. on top of a marble slab, next to a shiny surface), SMD or COB?

Answer: Go for COB LED strips. Due to the reflective surface, the SMD LED strips will give you a visible “dotted” light output that reduces the aesthetic visual in the overall space.

Question: I am installing it as a cove lighting, which one is better for me?

Answer: You can consider going with the 2835 LED strips. As LED strips are usually well-hidden inside the false ceiling and with that said, using 2835 light output will not give you the uneven light distribution as compared to installing near a reflective surface.

Question: Can I mix the COB and SMD LED strips? Perhaps 2835 for ceiling cove lighting and COB for the rest of the area?

Answer: Yes, you can. There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to a mixing different types of LED strips. But there will be a slight difference between the light color and the intensity of brightness. As at the end of the day, they are using very different LED technologies. So, for home-owners who are particular when comes to the consistency of light output, we will suggest to choose the same type of LED strips for the entire house.

Question: Which is more costly?

Answer: Due to the perks COB LED strips offer, COB type will be more costly compared to SMD types. Price difference ranges from 20% to 40% depending on vendors.

Question: LED strips comes in a long length, but can I use the same strip in different locations?

Answer: LED strips can be easily cut with a scissor; hence you can split up the same strip and utilise in different areas.

Question: I am leaning towards dimmable function. Can both types of LED strips work?

Answer: Both will work well with the correct dimmable components. But COB LED strips will be a better option as SMD LED strips will emit obvious uneven light output when dim.

Question: Does all LED strips need a driver?

Answer: Most LED strips in the market requires an external driver to work but there are some brands (i.e. Philips Hue) which uses integrated drivers which is located inside the electrical plug.

Question: What is the main difference between LED strips with external driver and integrated drivers?

Answer: There is a length limitation for LED strips using integrated drivers. The maximum length for those is usually 10m and nothing more. However for LED strips with driver, the lengths are customisable and can go a lot longer than 10m.

Question: How about LED strips that can change light colors?

Answer: Yes, we do have those. We called it CCT-COB LED strips. It is using the COB technology and it can tuned from warm(2700K) to daylight(6500K) using a remote control or an app.

Question: If we are talking about light colors of the LED strips, which is suitable for a home?

Answer: Most of our customers will prefer warm light as it gives off a welcoming vibe. Cool white light color is commonly used in kitchen or vanity area. But it is totally up to you!

If you need help or have doubts about the led strip light, contact us.